Oklahoma is a blue blood in college football. It’s one of the top few programs held on a pedestal any program in the nation would want to be held to. While being consistently *near* the top of college football, the Sooners are coming up on 25 years removed from their last National Championship victory.
Though the program has since seen Bob Stoops’ successor Lincoln Riley fall short in the College Football Playoffs, the program has always been in good hands. The Sooners were then left high and dry by Riley — as he took off to USC after Oklahoma announced an eventual move to the SEC.
Now, Brent Venables is steering the ship as the Sooners look to end their National Championship drought. He’s heading into a pivotal third season as the program’s head coach after posting a 6-7 record in his first season then jumping to a 10-3 record in year two.
Venables’ goal in Norman is the same as any head coach who would come through — to win a National Championship. Not only is it a goal of his, but it’s an expectation at Oklahoma. Heading into the SEC changes the path for the Sooners to do so, and it’ll be interesting to see what the program looks like in the sport’s toughest league.
ESPN Analyst gives Venables slim chance to win National Championship with Oklahoma
ESPN analyst Greg McElroy isn’t a big believer in Venables’ ability to take the Sooners to a National Championship victory. In fact, he’s pretty confident Venables and the Sooners *won’t* be hoisting a National Championship trophy any time soon.
“People are probably going to say ‘That’s a really low number.’ I think the likelihood of winning a national championship right at Oklahoma under Brent Venables is 10%,” McElroy said.
Heading into the SEC — which will mark an entirely new era for Oklahoma and college football as a whole — sportsbooks universally are setting the Sooners’ over/under win total at 7.5 wins. This would leave them right around mid-table in the SEC. Something that would ensure Oklahoma isn’t competing for a national title.
“Which to me, feels like a pretty good number. Because to me, right now, if I were to rank the SEC one through 16 heading into ’24, I have Oklahoma somewhere in the middle. Which means they’re in the vicinity of an 8-4, 7-5 football team,” McElroy continued.
Oklahoma doubted heading into 2024 college football season
Being doubted is nothing new for the football program in Norman. Now, no longer playing in the Big 12, the disbelief only grows stronger. The reason behind the doubt from sportsbooks and prominent sports media figures is the program’s schedule heading into the SEC.
As a blue blood program building off a double-digit win season, the Sooners are underdogs in a handful of games — with upcoming contests coming against programs like LSU, Alabama, Texas, Ole Miss and Missouri. The schedule is tough, the conference is a gauntlet, but Oklahoma is and always will be Oklahoma.
Sure, the Sooners might not win a National Championship this year, but an expanded playoff format and competing in the toughest conference can help the team eventually make a title run.
Venables fits the style of the SEC, and his coaching — which turns more into a CEO-style role as the coordinators on both sides of the ball have changed and Venables can let them control more as he floats around each position group. This season will be defining for the head coach, and they’re looking to make an arrival in the SEC.
READ MORE: Former Oklahoma Superstar Disrespected in NFL Quarterback Rankings
Want to join the discussion? Like SoonerPulse on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Bookmark SoonerPulse.com to stay informed about all things Sooners.
Follow Kade Kimble on Twitter.
